Chapter 254- Discussing Plans for the Journey

[Luna POV]

After yet another morning of Tamamo leading me on, which I’m starting to suspect is intentional, I met up with my party and we all sat down to discuss where to go next.  We all agreed to start off by going to the port city in the Beast Kingdom and meeting Mio’s parents, but after that was still up in the air.

“So, Luna, do you have a destination in mind?” (Skadi)

“I do.  We’ve been to every country on the continent except one so far, so I was thinking we go to the Dwarven Country.  After spending some time there, we move on and have an adventure under the sea.  After seeing how that goes, I want to go and meet some dragons and find a golden apple.  Tamamo has told me that dragons guard golden apples so that will happen when it does.  But that’s just what I want to do, if any of you have some input, I’ll gladly accommodate it.” (Luna)

“While I don’t have any complaints about those plans, how about I make a suggestion for our undersea adventure?” (Skadi)

“What are you thinking?” (Luna)

“How about we spend some time with the merfolk?  We can make one of their cities our base while we do whatever there.” (Skadi)

“Sounds like a good idea to me.” (Luna)

“I agree.  I’d very much like to see what an undersea city is like.” (Velvet)

“Sounds fun.  I wonder if I’ll be able to paint stuff though.” (Soleil)

“I think the merfolk have special paints that allow them to do paint underwater.” (Skadi)

“With that settled nya, how are we going to go to the dwarf country nya?  By river or sky nya?” (Mio)

“Well, for the most part by sky, but we’ll have to go by river once we reach dwarven land.  I did get replies back from the rulers of the countries that I know.  Aside from the obvious request for their own flying ship, they also drafted some basic aviation laws.  They aren’t fully fleshed out, but it’s enough that a permit is needed to freely fly a ship in these countries.  I was given one for each since I’m really the only one these laws apply to at the moment, but since the dwarf country doesn’t know about it yet, it’ll be safer to sail the river than fly.  I don’t want us to be unreasonably attacked after all.” (Luna)

“Master, would we even get hurt by an attack?” (Ophidia)

“No, but the ship would.  I can’t really set up a proper space barrier around it since it affects how it flies.  Plus, I just don’t want to take any chances.” (Luna)

“So, with all of this decided, when do we set out?” (Velvet)

“Either today or tomorrow.  The only thing that’s actually stopping us from leaving is either me or Ophidia has to pick Ana and Blake up.  I sent them a letter earlier, but I haven’t gotten a reply yet.” (Luna)

“Um, I can also pick them up if needed.  Me and Damien plan on staying here for a little while longer so I don’t really mind doing that.” (Vina)

“Are you sure?  I don’t want to trouble you with something related to my parents.” (Soleil)

“I really don’t mind.” (Vina)

“Soleil, it’s best you just accept Vina’s offer.  When she decided she wants to do something like this, she doesn’t really take no for an answer.” (Damien)

“Oh.  Then I guess all I can say is thanks.” (Soleil)

“No problem.” (Vina)

With that decided, I checked my box again and saw two letters were waiting for me.  I read over one and sighed.

“Well, looks like those two want to come back tomorrow.  Also, here Soleil, Ana had a message for you as well.” (Luna)

I handed Soleil the second letter and she read it.

“*Sigh*At least they had fun.  By the way big sis, mom said that it would be best if none of us go there for a while.  She didn’t say exactly why, but if she wrote that, then there is probably a reason.” (Soleil)

“Hmm.  I guess that means that you should meet them at the docks, Vina.” (Luna)

“Alright.  I’ll go and get them tomorrow morning then.” (Vina)

“So, you know where you are headed next then?” (Damien)

“Yeah.  What about you two.  Where are you going once you are done here?” (Luna)

“I want to go to Savanna and meet that apprentice that set up shop there, and then I’ll get started on making my crafter’s guild.” (Damien)

“Then I wish you luck with that.” (Luna)

“Same to you and your journey.” (Damien)

My group then stood up and we made our way out of the shrine.  On the way out, I went to mom’s office to tell them we were leaving, and that Ana would be back the next day.  What I found was dad also there and doing paperwork while a one-armed man was standing beside him and observing.

“What’s up, Luna?” (Amagi)

“I was just here to tell you we were about to go.” (Luna)

“Alright.  Any news on Ana?” (Amagi)

“Vina offered to bring her and Blake back tomorrow.” (Luna)

“I’ll have to thank her for that.” (Amagi)

“Anyway, we’ll be back again at some point.  Oh, and dad, don’t overload your subordinates with paperwork.  And you, Jarred, feel free to refuse doing this if you want, he needs to do this himself more often.” (Luna)

“Wait, you remember my name?” (Jarred)

“Of course I do.  Now, I have to go.” (Luna)

I shut the door and started walking away.  I did, however, hear some of the conversation.

“I can’t believe she actually remembered my name.” (Jarred)

“Why wouldn’t she?  You made amends for your previous actions, so she has a neutral opinion of you.  Not to mention she knows almost all the people’s names that work under me.” (Deacon)

‘He’s right.  I don’t hold that much of a grudge against a person if they apologize.  I’m not THAT vindictive.’

{Ufufufu.  It’s just that he’s one of the only ones who’ve apologized after making you mad, not counting your family.}

‘Speaking of, Tamamo, we really need to talk about something later.’

{About what?}

‘You know exactly what I’m talking about.’

{Is it what happened this morning?}

‘Yes.  I’m starting to suspect you’re intentionally doing that now.  It was even worse than yesterday.  I mean really, I was this close to…*Sigh*’

{Close to what?  I know I didn’t go THAT far.}

‘I was this close to pinning you down and not allowing you to leave.  We both know it takes longer for both of us to reach THAT point.  It’s just that you’ve been making it real hard for me to hold off until my eighth tail.’

{Luna, you’re overthinking it.  When we made that promise, we promised to spend several weeks together.  We never promised to not cross the line before then.}

‘I know that.  We’ve already crossed the line several times since we made that promise, but you do know the more you provoke me, the harder it will be for me to stop at doing it for a single night, right?  Honestly, I really wish I could stop time, but I’m not some insanely broken tiger.’

{What’s that supposed to mean?}

‘It doesn’t matter.  Just know that tonight, neither of us is getting any sleep.’

{Ufufufu.  Perfect.  My plan worked.}

‘Ahhh.  So you WERE planning this.’

{Yep.  But it’s your fault.  Ever since you started sleeping again, you tempt me every night.}

‘You realize that I’m not the only one that can initiate it, right?’

{Yes, but I want you to take the lead this time.}

‘Then just tell me that, don’t go play these teasing games.’

{And where’s the fun in that?  I’m a kitsune as well you know.}

‘Fufufu.’

{Ufufufu.}

I walked out the main gate of the shrine to where the others were waiting.  We then left the village proper.  We made our way into the forest near the village and to the lake that was in that forest.  There I placed the Argo in the water and we all climbed aboard and I prepared to set off.

Chaos Realm:

Fenrir: Oh dear, oh man, oh no, it's soon.  What do I do?  What do I wear?  Do I call them mother and father or just use their names?  Do I bring a gift?  No, I can't do that, it's against the rules.  Uuuuuuuuuuu.

Order: Fenrir, calm down, you still have several days until they get there.

Yeah, and I'll say the same thing I told Atmos, just be yourself.  If you do that, then they will accept you.  I even did a little investigating about them for you.  Mio's parents are quite laid back, so as long as you don't let the suspense of meeting them get to you, you'll be fine.

Fenrir: *Takes in a deep breath to calm down* Alright.  I can do this, just be myself.  I can do that.

Order: Better now?

Fenrir: Much.

Good.  Now, drink some of this herbal tea.  It does wonders for nerves.

Fenrir: Thanks.